Sometimes I get an idea to write a post and think, “do people REALLY want to read about this?” But then, I think about what motivates and inspires me when reading other blogs, and sometimes it is the most simple posts (like this one on cleaning baseboards from Simple Notebook) that get me movin’!
I found these little glass containers at a garage sale about a year ago for a couple of bucks. I pictured them organized, labeled, full of different spices in beautiful earthy colors, all lined up along the top of my stove. They HAVE been lined up along the top of my stove, but sitting empty, collecting dust, and looking sad.
The last 2 days were spent spring cleaning my kitchen. IT IS SO CLEAN and I AM SO HAPPY! My mother- in- law helped finish it up, for which I was so grateful– I’ll have before and after pics coming up soon.
You would not believe the difference in my floor tile grout…I think I forgot the grout is supposed to be cream because it been closer to mocha (can you tell I’m trying to make the color of dirt sound a bit more appealing??:))
Because I was spring cleaning, I knew I had to tackle my spices, and I’m very happy with how they turned out. I put the spices that I use most often in the jars, the rest of the spices I have on a small, double-decker lazy susan in the cupboard right next to the stove.
I have said this before in another post, but if you can find a store that has bulk bins full of spices, (where you can help yourself to whatever amount you need, and are charged by weight), then, by all means, DO IT!
Most health food stores have this option. I can’t tell you what a difference using fresh spices has made in my cooking and baking. It is very economical, and I can buy smaller amounts of spices that I do not use very often, so they won’t sit around forever, getting stale.
I don’t know about you, but having a clean kitchen and organized spices makes me wanna bake, so I’m off to search my recipes to see what I can make!
Amazon Links:
Lazy Susan
Empty Glass Spice Jars
My Favorite Label Maker
Spring cleaning–its a love hate thing for me. Don’t like doing it, but LOVE the results. So far, I have finished my Living Room and my Sunroom. The Living Room took me 4 hours (one hour of that was fixing my vacuum, grr) and the Sunroom took about 2 1/2. Not a fast process. 2 rooms down, 10 to go!!
I bought the ebook, “Spring Cleaning For Normal People” at Simple Mom, for $7.00. One tip in the book that has been super helpful is her suggestion of taking everything out of the room (not heavy furniture), and putting it in a central location before you start cleaning. Not only does this get it all out of the way for deep cleaning, but as you put each piece back, you have a minute to think about whether it is something that is useful or beautiful, and if you want to keep it or not. Thanks to this tip, I have eliminated a ton of stuff! It also gives you a chance to focus in on each object to deep clean it, too, before putting it back in its place.
This is how I cleaned my sunroom:
~piled everything in the center
~used broom to reach high for cobwebs in corners and windows
~used broom to brush off loose dirt on window sills
~filled bucket with water/vinegar (1/2 & 1/2)
~wiped down doors
~wiped down window sills/frames
~wiped down all walls
~wiped down floor trim
~used a Mr. Clean eraser to get rid of scuff marks on doors and trim
~cleaned windows inside
~cleaned windows outside
~got frustrated because I couldn’t reach 3 windows on the outside without a ladder
~marveled at how bright the room looked with clean windows
~put back decor that didn’t touch the floor, cleaning them and eliminating as I went
~moved objects that did touch the floor from the middle of the room so I could…
~…sweep!
~mopped (twice…it was nasty)
~sat in the swing, sighed and smiled
Well, I have given up the idea of someone else spring cleaning my home, (I offered on facebook to trade hair/nail/waxing services in exchange for a spring clean, and it was met with little interest-I guess no one else wants to spring clean, either!!:)) Kathy, my mother-in-law, encouraged me to do a little at a time and enjoy the good feeling it will bring as I get it done. I like that advice and I’m going to take it! For some reason when it comes to spring cleaning, I want it all done at once, which paralyzes me!! I have a pretty clear calendar this week, so I will do a bit at a time and let you know how it goes!
I found this awesome ebook “Spring Cleaning for Normal People“ at Simple Mom, and bought it for $7.00. It was worth every penny! She has a way of breaking spring cleaning down into manageable steps, and gives great tips which makes it much less overwhelming. Last week she had a spring cleaning series on her blog that was very inspirational, you can click here to check it out.
1st Step: Decluttering
From Tsh @ Simple Mom:
Does every item in your home make your family happy? Does the item add to your home, your life, your family? Of if you were truly honest, would you say it’s more of a burden?
If it’s a burden in any way, get rid of it. It’s not worth the valuable real estate between your four walls.
“Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”-19th century architect William Morris
This is what I will do today. I will start this spring cleaning week by going from room to room and getting rid of anything that does not fit in the above quote. (and sneaking it to the Goodwill before my girls get home!!:))
I plan on using my mornings this week to spring clean, then in the afternoons, do something I enjoy (gardening, cooking, reading). If I set aside a full days to clean, I will get bored, burn out, and give up. I can handle the mornings knowing I will get to do something more enjoyable in the afternoon! Here goes..wish me luck!
*do you spring clean each year? is motivation as hard for you as it is for me? do you have a system? got any tips for me??